Best quality/price setup

[FirefighterP]

Hello guys,

 

I'm new around this forum. I'm sure the question has been asked many times. Bang for your buck, what is the best stick/HOTAS setup out there? Of course I looked at the TM Warthog, $470 is a bit out of my range given the fact I just bought a brand new computer... The new Saitek, I keep reading mixed reviews. What about the TM T.16000 M? Is anyone around here using it?

Thanks for your opinion.

[Sokol1_br]

If Warthog (that have a extra hidden cost = require dedicated rudder pedal) is out of your budget, this automatically exclude other "high end":

VKB, VPC (VirPil), MFG, Slaw...

 

What rest - that worth consideration, is:

 

Saitek X-52 and X-56 (HOTAS

CH Products (HOTAS)

Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS (HOTAS)

VKB Gladiator (3in1)

T.16000M stick only (3in1)

 

Generally:

 

X-52, 56 advantage is include twist rudder good amount of axes and buttons, but QC is what you have read, is the brand with more cases of complains about faults - an lottery, but some user have then for years.

 

CH advantage is an very sturdy construction - in fact superior than Warthog, despite this be made in majority in metal (ZAMAC an pot metal used e.g. in jewelry), you see Warthog with broken parts, but not CH's. But in matter of electronics CH is obsolete - still using the same of ~1999, what is OK for some, but not for others, specially those who migrate for "high end".

Like Warthog has a hidden additional cost - require dedicated rudder pedal.

 

T.16000M FCS HOTAS is probable the best cost/benefit, use same sensor of Warhog in X, Y axes, but cheap, no much durable pot in joy twist and throttle slider and in TWCS throttle axes, offer two options for control rudder, twist and rocker paddle. Construction is on par with Saitek, but with less complains about, more is twist rudder pot failing and stiction in TWC rails (pompously called "S.M.A.R.T"). :)

 

VKB gladiator has the best features in "3in1" stick (with twist rudder and throttle disk/slider), using contact less sensor in X,Y and in twist axes. Their major drawback is that exist more in theory than in stock in (very limited) sellers and cost ~40/50% more that direct concurrent, T.16000M.

 

T.16000M stick only will offer the best cost/benefit for an basic, affordable "entry level" stick. Their feature advantage is be ambidextrous, making then a cheap option for "HOSAS" system.

[FirefighterP]

Thank you very much for your answer. Sounds like you pretty much summed everything up! :thumbup:

[fitness88]

If Warthog (that have a extra hidden cost = require dedicated rudder pedal) is out of your budget, this automatically exclude other "high end":

VKB, VPC (VirPil), MFG, Slaw...

 

What rest - that worth consideration, is:

 

Saitek X-52 and X-56 (HOTAS

CH Products (HOTAS)

Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS (HOTAS)

VKB Gladiator (3in1)

T.16000M stick only (3in1)

 

Generally:

 

X-52, 56 advantage is include twist rudder good amount of axes and buttons, but QC is what you have read, is the brand with more cases of complains about faults - an lottery, but some user have then for years.

 

CH advantage is an very sturdy construction - in fact superior than Warthog, despite this be made in majority in metal (ZAMAC an pot metal used e.g. in jewelry), you see Warthog with broken parts, but not CH's. But in matter of electronics CH is obsolete - still using the same of ~1999, what is OK for some, but not for others, specially those who migrate for "high end".

Like Warthog has a hidden additional cost - require dedicated rudder pedal.

 

T.16000M FCS HOTAS is probable the best cost/benefit, use same sensor of Warhog in X, Y axes, but cheap, no much durable pot in joy twist and throttle slider and in TWCS throttle axes, offer two options for control rudder, twist and rocker paddle. Construction is on par with Saitek, but with less complains about, more is twist rudder pot failing and stiction in TWC rails (pompously called "S.M.A.R.T"). :)

 

VKB gladiator has the best features in "3in1" stick (with twist rudder and throttle disk/slider), using contact less sensor in X,Y and in twist axes. Their major drawback is that exist more in theory than in stock in (very limited) sellers and cost ~40/50% more that direct concurrent, T.16000M.

 

T.16000M stick only will offer the best cost/benefit for an basic, affordable "entry level" stick. Their feature advantage is be ambidextrous, making then a cheap option for "HOSAS" system.

 

 

 

Good report, I agree on the T16000m, joystick good bang for the buck but be gentle with the twist [z axis], the throttle has stiction.

Flashfire Cobra V6 Flight Simulation Joystick makes/sells [i don't understand the relationship between them and VKB] the same stick under another name as VKB gladiator. I was told this when I was asking for similar info. Unfortunately the Cobra's software is reported to be inadequate.

Saitek now Logitech, I have a X52 Pro, still runs very smooth with a little grease never had stiction, but the slider and rotary are and have always been twitchy. Only email support; so for me that's a non-starter...too bad

Edited March 19, 2019 by fitness88

[DeltaMike]

hands down the t16k. Stick is a little more stiff than I like it but it loosens up after a while. Very accurate. Throttle needs dry lube and you want to back out the tension screw as far as you can, that mitigates sticktion considerably. The throttle joystick is nice. Easy to set up in DCS. The pedals are good enough, they don't have very high resolution but they appear durable enough. Look at what they are charging for rudder pedals out there; even if you get tired of the stick and throttle, if you keep the pedals you aren't losing much even if you upgrade the stick and throttle later.